Water en Atheense meisjes

A hydria by the Euphiletos Painter has been given to the Allard Pierson Museum on permanent loan by a private collector (APM 15.765). The vase is the starting point for an article about water supply and women’s life in ancient Athens as well as for a short study on the iconography of marriage processions. Women carrying presents, wreaths and torches refer to the human world, although sometimes gods may be present. However, when gods are portrayed, objects of daily life are usually not included. On the shoulder is a picture of Herakles and the Lion standing opposite each other in the presence of Athena and a man, maybe Iolaos. Among the many vases showing a marriage procession, Herakles is often depicted on one of the other sides. Assuming that the Heraklean subject is a meaningful choice on the part of the painter, we could interpret it as a warning: Herakles had to perform his Labours in punishment for killing his children, so be good to your family or else the gods may punish you, too